30+ YEARS OF EXPERIENCE

The Los Angeles Maritime Institute (LAMI) was founded more than 30 years ago to offer educational adventures at-sea for youth from under-resourced communities, with a focus on character-building and skill-building opportunities through sail training. We continue to provide this – and more – as we sail into our third decade on the water!

AWARD-WINNING YOUTH PROGRAMS

Our TopSail Youth and TopSail STEM Programs continue to win awards and accolades from the education community, government leaders, and the maritime industry for our approach to leadership training, experiential education, and our ability to inspire youth to pursue careers in STEM-related subjects and maritime trades.

THE OFFICIAL TALL SHIPS

Our purpose-built vessels – the twin brigantines, Irving Johnson and Exy Johnson – and their young crews were proclaimed the “Official Tall Ships and Maritime Ambassadors of the City of Los Angeles” by the Mayor and City Council of Los Angeles at their launch in 2002. Our three-masted schooner, American Pride, was named the “Official Tall Ship of the City of Long Beach” before we acquired her in 2018.

OPTIONS GALORE

You may be an educator looking to engage your class through our Virtual Voyage digital classes. You may be thinking to book a day sail for a field trip, to celebrate a special occasion, or create a leadership experience for your team or conference attendees. Our range of sailing and dockside options are what we’re known for – and help us continue to provide educational programs to local youth.

Welcome to the Los Angeles Maritime Institute!

Taking the helm
The twin brigantines and American Pride
Climbing the rig

About Us

The Los Angeles Maritime Institute (LAMI) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that uses hands-on experiences at sea to provide an array of social, educational and leadership development opportunities to upper elementary, middle and high school students throughout Los Angeles County. Our TopSail Youth Program is offered year-round aboard the tall ships Irving Johnson and Exy Johnson, 110-foot traditionally rigged vessels named after sail training pioneers who sailed around the world seven times with young crews, and American Pride, a majestic 130-foot, three-masted schooner with a rich sailing history.

We offer:

  • Day programs and multi-day voyages
  • Leadership development and problem-solving
  • Hands-on STEM learning
  • Maritime skill-building
  • Sea-time certification
  • Boat building
  • Private charters
  • Community sails
  • Sea Scouts/Youth Crew
  • Volunteer opportunities

MISSION

The Los Angeles Maritime Institute (LAMI) serves to empower youth to discover their greater potential through extraordinary at-sea experiences aboard educational sailing vessels built to train and equip young people with 21st-century leadership skills, and inspire maritime and STEM career paths.

VISION

We envision a thriving community where every young person can look to the future with confidence and navigate successfully and responsibly in life.
MORE ABOUT OUR ORGANIZATION

PROGRAMS

TopSail Youth Program

Los Angeles Maritime Institute’s award-winning TopSail Youth Program exposes youth to a world beyond their communities where they are provided with real-life challenges and hands-on learning opportunities not available in the traditional classroom. Youth who have participated in our program become role models for other youth, demonstrating firsthand the power of at-sea experiences to change lives!

TopSail STEM Program

Our TopSail STEM Adventure Program builds on our signature program and expands the STEM framework organic to our program. Tall ships are exciting hands-on STEM learning environments!

Explore the Coast/Explora la Costa

Once a month, we provide a bilingual educational experience and exploration sail aboard one of our tall ships. Sponsored by Marathon Petroleum, this 2-hour round trip excursion helps our community learn about what we do and improve coastal awareness.

Sea Scouts/Youth Crew

This volunteer program for ages 13-19 has become well established as a vital component of LAMI’s mission.

Summer Camp

While at sea or on land, our summer camps explore topics in marine biology, maritime history and island ecology while having fun with traditional maritime arts! Youth who participate in our sleepaway camps learn the ropes as they challenge themselves with exciting new opportunities: leaving the dock, setting and adjusting sails, keeping a ship on course, setting the anchor, and living aboard a ship for a week.

Private charters for special events, team building, film shoots and more!

A VARIETY OF SAILING ADVENTURES AWAIT
LEARN MORE & BOOK YOUR SAIL

CURRENT EVENTS

You are cordially invited to Los Angeles Maritime Institute’s Volunteer Appreciation Dinner & Swift of Ipswich Birthday Party, Saturday, December 9, 4:30 p.m., $25 per person. Join us in Building G as we celebrate the past year, our Volunteers and the Swift of Ipswich's birthday with you – our LAMI community! Space is limited, so don’t wait! Tickets must be purchased by Tuesday, December 5 or earlier, if tickets sell out.

Volunteer Appreciation Dinner and Swift of Ipswich Birthday Party

Join us in Building G as we celebrate the past year, our Volunteers and the Swift of Ipswich’s birthday with you – our LAMI community – on Saturday, December 9! Space is limited, so don’t wait. Tickets must be purchased by Tuesday, December 5 or earlier, if tickets sell out.

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Holiday Harbor Boat Parade

Holiday Harbor Boat Parade

Join us for this wonderful tradition – a great way to get in the holiday spirit. This sail usually sells out, so get your tickets early! Saturday, December 2, 2023, 5:00 – 9:00 PM, $75 – Adult, $25 – Child (12 & Under)

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